KR101505379B1 - Transmission of small amount of data within registration message by machine-to-machine communication devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Access terminals and network nodes are adapted to perform access terminal registrations. In one embodiment, the access terminal may obtain registration information associated with the access terminal and a data message for transmission. The access terminal may send a message including a data message and registration information. A network node receives a message from an access terminal, wherein the received message includes a data message and access terminal registration information. The network node may register the access terminal with the network based on the access terminal registration information contained in the received message. The network node may also process the data message contained in the received message. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting a small amount of data in a registration message by machine-to-machine communication devices. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 1 >

Cross-reference and priority claims for related applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 554,822, filed November 2, 2011, entitled "PERIODIC REGISTRATION VALUE PER DEVICE CLASS", and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 554,822, filed November 2, 2011, entitled IMPLICIT REGISTRATION VIA DATA BURST MESSAGES ", Serial No. 61 / 554,828, both of which are assigned to the assignee hereof. Both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to devices, systems, and methods that facilitate access terminal registrations.

Wireless communication systems are widely used to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be accessed by several types of devices adapted to facilitate wireless communications, wherein multiple devices share available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such wireless communication systems include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems.

Several devices are adapted to use these wireless communication systems. Such a device may generally be referred to as an access terminal. Some access terminals may be stationary or may be at least substantially stationary, such as access terminals adapted for machine to machine (M2M) communications (also often referred to as machine type communications, i.e., MTC). The M2M may include access terminals adapted to operate at least substantially without user interaction. These M2M adapted access terminals may also operate on a limited battery source, such as a battery.

The following provides simplified summaries of one or more aspects of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all the foresight features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure, nor is it intended to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure . Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description set forth below.

, Features that may help preserve power and extend the operational life of the access terminal's limited power source may be desirable. Various aspects and aspects of the disclosure are adapted to facilitate power conservation at the access terminal by facilitating optimized access terminal registrations.

According to at least one aspect of the disclosure, the access terminals may include a storage medium and a communication interface coupled with the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be adapted to obtain a data message for transmission over a communication interface and to obtain registration information associated with the access terminal. The processing circuitry may also be adapted to transmit a message comprising a data message and registration information via a communication interface.

Additional aspects provide access terminals comprising methods for operating on access terminals and / or means for performing such methods. One or more embodiments of these methods may include obtaining a data message for transmission and registration information associated with the access terminal. A message may be sent, wherein the message includes both a data message and a property.

Other aspects include computer readable media including programming operating on an access terminal. According to one or more embodiments, such programming may be adapted to obtain a data message for transmission and to obtain registration information associated with the access terminal. The programming may also be adapted to send a message comprising a data message and registration information.

Additional aspects include network nodes including a storage medium and a communication interface coupled to the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be adapted to receive a message from an access terminal via a communication interface, wherein the message includes a data message and access terminal registration information. The processing circuitry may also be adapted to register the access terminal with the network based on the access terminal registration information contained in the received message.

Additional aspects provide network nodes including methods operating at a network node and / or means for performing these methods. One or more embodiments of these methods may include receiving a message from an access terminal, wherein the message includes a data message and access terminal registration information. The access terminal may subsequently be registered in the network based on the access terminal registration information contained in the received message.

Other aspects include computer readable media including programming operating at a network node. According to one or more embodiments, such programming may be adapted to receive a message comprising an access terminal registration information and a data message from an access terminal. The programming may also be adapted to register the access terminal with the network based on the access terminal registration information contained in the received message.

Aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when reviewing the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. While the features of the present invention may be discussed in connection with the following drawings and specific embodiments, all embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the preferred features described herein. That is, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain desirable features, one or more of these features may also be utilized in accordance with various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. In a similar manner, although the exemplary embodiments will be discussed below as embodiments of a device, apparatus, or method, it should be understood that these exemplary embodiments may be implemented in a variety of devices, systems, and methods.

1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a network environment in which various aspects of the present disclosure may find applications.
2 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of the wireless communication system of FIG. 1 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment that facilitates a plurality of different timer based registration schedules in accordance with at least one aspect of the disclosure.
4 is a block diagram illustrating at least some portions of a packet configuration for a system parameters message in accordance with at least one implementation.
5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of facilitating access terminal registration in response to receiving a data message from an access terminal in accordance with at least one aspect of the disclosure.
6 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of an access terminal in accordance with at least one embodiment.
7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating on an access terminal in accordance with at least one implementation.
8 is a flow diagram illustrating another method of operating on an access terminal in accordance with at least one implementation.
9 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of a network node in accordance with at least one embodiment.
10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating in a network node in accordance with at least one implementation.
11 is a flow diagram illustrating another method of operating at a network node in accordance with at least one implementation.

The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent only those configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, techniques, and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring those concepts and features.

The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implemented in accordance with a wide variety of communication systems, network architectures, and communication standards. Certain aspects of the present discussion are described below with respect to 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) lx protocols and systems, and related techniques may be found in many of the following descriptions. It will be appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the disclosure may be employed and embodied in one or more wireless communication protocols and systems.

1 is a block diagram of a network environment in which one or more aspects of the disclosure of the present invention may find applications. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 102 adapted to communicate wirelessly with one or more access terminals 104. System 100 may support operation at multiple carriers (waveform signals at different frequencies). Multicarrier transmitters can transmit modulated signals simultaneously through multiple carriers. Each of the modulated signals may be a CDMA signal, a TDMA signal, an OFDMA signal, an SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) signal, or the like. Each modulated signal may be transmitted over a different carrier and may carry control information (e.g., pilot signals), overhead information, data, and so on.

The base stations 102 may communicate wirelessly with the access terminal 104 via a base station antenna. The base stations 102 may each be generally implemented as a device adapted to facilitate wireless connectivity (to one or more access terminals 104) to the wireless communication system 100. Base stations 102 are configured to communicate with access terminals 104 under control of a base station controller (see FIG. 2) through a plurality of carriers. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for each geographic area. The coverage area 106 for each base station 102 is here identified as cells 106-a, 106-b, or 106-c. The coverage area 106 for the base station 102 may be divided into sectors (not shown but only a portion of the coverage area). System 100 may include different types of base stations 102 (e.g., macro, micro, and / or pico base stations).

One or more of the access terminals 104 may be distributed throughout the coverage area 106. Each access terminal 104 may communicate with one or more base stations 102. The access terminal 104 may generally include one or more devices that communicate with one or more other devices via wireless signals. Such an access terminal 104 may also be implemented by a person skilled in the art as a user equipment UE, a mobile station (MS), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, May be referred to as a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user agent, a mobile client, The access terminal 104 may comprise a mobile terminal and / or a terminal that is at least substantially stationary. Examples of the access terminal 104 may be a mobile phone, a pager, a wireless modem, a personal digital assistant, a personal information manager (PIM), a personal media player, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, Reader, a digital video recorder (DVR), a machine to machine (M2M) executable device, and / or other communication / computing device that communicates, at least in part, over a wireless or cellular network.

Returning to Fig. 2, a block diagram illustrating selected components of the wireless communication system 100 is illustrated in accordance with at least one embodiment. As illustrated, base station 102 is included as at least a portion of a radio access network (RAN) The radio access network (RAN) 202 typically manages traffic and signaling between one or more access terminals 104 and one or more other network entities, such as network entities included in the core network 204 . The wireless access network 202 may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base station subsystem (BSS), an access network, a GSM edge radio access network (GERAN), and the like, in accordance with various implementations.

In addition to one or more base stations 102, the radio access network 202 may include a base station controller (BSC) 206, which may also be referred to as a radio access controller (RNC) . The base station controller 206 is typically responsible for establishing, releasing, and maintaining wireless connections within one or more coverage areas associated with one or more base stations 102 that are typically connected to the base station controller 206. Base station controller 206 may be communicatively coupled to one or more nodes or entities of core network 204.

The core network 204 is part of a wireless communication system 100 that provides various services to access terminals 104 that are connected through a radio access network 202. The core network 204 may include a circuit-switched (CS) domain and a packet-switched (PS) domain. Some embodiments of circuit switching entities include a gateway MSC (GMSC) 210 as well as a mobile switching center (MSC) and a visitor location register (VLR) identified as MSC / VLR 208. Some embodiments of packet switching elements include a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 212 and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) Other network entities such as EIR, HLR, VLR, and AuC may be included, some or all of which may be shared by both circuit switching and packet switching domains. The access terminal 104 may obtain access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 216 via the circuit switching domain and access to the IP network 218 via the packet switched domain.

When the access terminals 104 operate within the wireless communication system 100, the access terminals 104 typically register with the wireless communication system 100 at periodic intervals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be adapted to support timer-based registration, wherein the base station 102 broadcasts a registration period, during which the coverage area for a particular base station 102 Each access terminal 104 in the network can register or re-register with the network. When the access terminal 104 is not active in the wireless network (e.g., there is no traffic channel set-up or there is no other type of registration), the idle access terminal 104 performs registration at each registration cycle do. Typically, the registration period is set to a relatively short interval (e.g., 15 minutes) to track the locations of the various access terminals 104 and to avoid page failures as in the case of voice-based mobile access terminals. 1 hour).

In some instances, one or more of the access terminals 104 may be employed as machine-to-machine (M2M) executable devices. These M2M executable access terminals 104 are adapted to communicate wirelessly with a network entity (e.g., M2M server) at least substantially without user interaction. The M2M access terminals 104 may include a communication device adapted to capture an event (e.g., a sensor capturing temperature, a meter capturing inventory levels, etc.) (E. G., A software program) via the wireless communication system 100 if the temperature can be interpreted as a need to rise / lower, items need to be supplemented, etc.). These M2M executable access terminals 104 may be adapted to transmit / receive data relatively infrequently. For example, the M2M executable access terminal 104 may be adapted to transmit / receive data once everywhere from a few hours to a month or even longer. In such a case, the timer based registration periods described above may place a burden on the M2M executed access terminals 104. [ That is, since the normal timer-based registration periods may be relatively short (e.g., every 15-60 minutes, although some may be less or more frequent), access terminals, such as M2M access terminals It may consume a significant amount of battery power to maintain registration.

According to various aspects of the disclosure, features are employed to reduce registration of at least some of the access terminals, such as M2M executable terminals, with the wireless communication system 100. [ In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 may be adapted to facilitate a plurality of different timer-based registration schedules. In at least some embodiments, the wireless communication system 100 may be adapted to facilitate access terminal registration in response to receiving a data transmission from the access terminal 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of facilitating a plurality of different timer based registration schedules in accordance with at least one aspect of the disclosure is shown. The access terminal 104 may include one or more network nodes 302 associated with the wireless communication system 100, such as a base station (e.g., base station 102 in Figures 1 and 2), a base controller (E.g., BSC 206 in FIG. 2), and / or one or more components of the core network (e.g., MSC / VLR 208 in FIG. 2).

Initially, the access terminal 104 may be provided with a specific device class (or class designation information) 304. For example, the access terminal 104 configured for use as a voice-based mobile phone may be provisioned with device class designation information 304 associated with the mobile access terminals, and the current location of the mobile access terminal avoids page failures It may be important to In other examples, an access terminal 104 configured for M2M communication may be provisioned with a device class associated with M2M executable access terminals to conserve battery life. In some instances, the access terminal 104 may not be provisioned with a specific device class.

The network node 302 may broadcast a message 306 indicating a plurality of periodic registration schedules. In at least some embodiments, the message 306 may be transmitted as a system parameters message (MSG_TAG: SPM). By way of example and not limitation, FIG. 4 illustrates at least some portions of a packet configuration for system parameters message 402 in accordance with at least one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the system parameters message 402 includes a normal 7-bit field 404 for the registration period. This registration period field 404 may be used to indicate that a particular registration schedule may have class assignment information that is not defined in the system parameters message 402 or that it may be periodic for any access terminals 104 that may not have class assignment information You can define a registration schedule. The system parameters message 402 further includes one or more 7-bit device class fields 406 indicating periodic registration schedules associated with specific access terminal class assignments. Class specific registration schedules of device class fields 406 may be provided in addition to or in addition to the regular registration period field 404 for a regular periodic registration schedule.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the access terminal 104 may determine its registration schedule according to its provided device class (308). If the network node does not provide a plurality of registration periods or does not provide a matching device class registration period, the access terminal 104 (e.g., as indicated by the registration period field 404 in FIG. 4) A normal cycle registration schedule may be simply adopted. If the network node 302 supports class specific registration schedules, the access terminal 104 may register 310 with the network according to the timer based registration schedule indicated in the message received from the network node 302. According to the example described above, the M2M executive access terminal 104 may employ a registration schedule associated with the M2M device class and may register a longer registration than the normal registration schedule to conserve battery power of the M2M executable access terminal 104 Period may be adopted.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrating an example of facilitating access terminal registration in response to a wireless communication system receiving a data message from an access terminal in accordance with at least one aspect of the disclosure is shown. The access terminal 104 may communicate with one or more network nodes 502 of the wireless communication system. The network node 502 may include one or more network entities such as a base station (e.g., base station 102 in Figures 1 and 2), a base station controller (e.g., BSC 206 in Figure 2) , And / or one or more components of the core network (e.g., MSC / VLR 208 in FIG. 2). Initially, the network node 502 may send a message 504 to the access terminal 104 indicating that the network supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of a data message from the access terminal 104.

In at least one example, the data message may comprise a data burst message (DBM). By way of non-limiting example, the following description refers to a data burst message as a data message transmission. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more other message types may be employed in accordance with different implementations of the present disclosure.

After learning that the access terminal 104 supports access terminal registration in combination with receiving a data message, such as a data burst message, it may be possible to power down (e.g., idle or sleep Mode), or the access terminal 104 may skip the registration in accordance with the timer-based registration period. In other implementations, the access terminal 104 may keep the current in the registered state, but it may also preserve power upon transmission of the data message by combining the access terminal registration and the data message.

At some point, the access terminal 104 may obtain data to be transmitted over the network. The access terminal 104 may generate a data burst message 506 containing the acquired data. The access terminal 104 may also obtain the registration information 508 associated with the access terminal 104, since the network supports access terminal registration in combination with the data burst message. Thereafter, the access terminal 104 generates and transmits a message 510 including the data burst message together with the registration information.

Upon receiving the message 510, the network node 502 may register 512 the access terminal 104 (or update the registration of the access terminal). That is, the network node 502 may register the access terminal 104 based on the received message 510 without the access terminal 104 being otherwise connected to the network node 502. The network node 502 may also process a data burst message according to conventional procedures related to data burst messages (514).

6 is a block diagram illustrating selecting components of an access terminal 600 in accordance with at least one embodiment. As shown, the access terminal 600 generally includes a processing circuitry 602 in communication with the communication interface 604 and the storage medium 606 or in electrical communication therewith.

The processing circuitry 602 is arranged to acquire, process and / or transmit data, control data access and storage, issue commands, and control other desired operations. The processing circuitry 602 may include circuitry configured to implement the desired programming provided by a suitable medium in at least one example. For example, the processing circuitry 602 may be implemented as one or more processors, one or more controllers, and / or other structures configured to execute executable programming. Examples of processing circuitry 602 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) Logic components, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, as well as any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processing circuitry 602 may be implemented as a combination of computing components, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or an ASIC and a microprocessor, May be implemented as configurations. These examples of processing circuitry 602 are illustrative and other suitable configurations are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

The processor circuit 602 is configured for processing including the execution of programming, and the programming may be stored on the storage medium 606. [ The term "programming ", as used herein, refers to a set of instructions, instructions, data, code, code segments, instructions, Program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, executable threads, procedures, Should be broadly considered to include.

The communication interface 604 is configured to facilitate wireless communications of the access terminal 600. For example, communication interface 604 may include circuitry and / or programming adapted to facilitate communication of information in both directions to one or more network nodes. The communication interface 604 may be coupled to one or more antennas (not shown) and may include at least one receiver circuit 608 (e.g., one or more receiver chains) and / or at least one transmitter circuit 610 Quot;) < / RTI > (e. G., One or more transmit chains).

The storage medium 606 may include one or more computer readable, machine readable, readable media for storing programming, such as processor executable code or instructions (e.g., software, firmware), electronic data, databases, And / or processor readable devices. The storage medium 606 may also be used to store data manipulated by the processing circuitry 602 when performing programming. The storage medium 606 can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose processor, including portable or stationary devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / Lt; / RTI > By way of example, and not limitation, storage medium 606 can be a computer readable, machine readable and / or processor readable storage medium, such as a magnetic storage device (e.g., a hard disk, a floppy disk, ), Optical storage media (e.g., compact disc (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), random access memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, removable disks, and / .

The storage medium 606 may be coupled to the processing circuitry 602 such that the processing circuitry 602 can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium 606. That is, examples where the storage medium 606 is integral to the processing circuitry 602 and / or instances when the storage medium 606 is separate from the processing circuitry 602 (e.g., access terminal 600 , Storage medium 606 is at least partially accessible by processing circuitry 602, including, for example, resident on access terminal 600, and / or distributed across multiple entities). To the processing circuitry (602).

Programming stored by the storage medium 606, when executed by the processing circuitry 602, causes the processing circuitry 602 to perform one or more of the various functions and / or process steps described herein. For example, storage medium 606 may include registration operations 612 and / or class designation information 614. Registration operations 612 may be implemented by the processing circuitry 602 to perform access terminal registrations during the registration period in accordance with the class designation information 614 and / or in conjunction with data message transmission. Class designation information 614 may include data adapted to identify the class of access terminal employed to determine an appropriate registration period to be employed by access terminal 600. [ In instances where the class designation information 614 is included, the class designation information 614 may be provisioned at the access terminal 600 by the manufacturer or at some other time. Accordingly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure, the processing circuitry 602 may include processes for any or all of the access terminals (e. G., Access terminal 104 and / or 600) (In conjunction with storage medium 606) any or all of the functions, steps, and / or routines described herein. As used herein, the term "adapted " in relation to processing circuitry 602 is intended to encompass a variety of features, processes, functions, steps and / or routines that are configured, May refer to processing circuitry 602 that is one or more of: < RTI ID = 0.0 >

In some instances, the access terminal 600 (e.g., registration operations 612) may identify a periodic registration schedule associated with their respective device class assignments (if any) and register with the network according to the identified periodic registration schedule Lt; / RTI > In this manner, each of a plurality of periodic registration schedules may be employed by different access terminals without affecting registration schedules for other access terminals. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an access terminal, e.g., an associated method operating on an access terminal 600, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

6 and 7, the access terminal 600 may obtain class designation information identifying an access terminal class designation associated with the access terminal 600 at step 702. [ For example, processing circuitry 602 may obtain class designation information 614 and store class designation information 614 in storage medium 606. The class designation information 614 may represent a class for the access terminal 600 for periodic registration schedules available in a particular network. However, in some instances, the access terminal 600 may not obtain any specific class assignments.

At step 704, the access terminal 600 may receive a message indicating a plurality of periodic registration schedules. At least one periodic registration schedule included in the received message may be associated with access terminal class designation information. In at least one embodiment, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may receive the message via the communication interface 604. [ In at least some implementations, the received message may be a system parameters message (MSG_TAG: SPM). This system parameter message may be similar to the system parameter message 402 described above with reference to FIG. 4, which includes a registration period field (e.g., 4), and at least one device class (e.g., a device class field 406 in FIG. 4) that represents a periodic registration schedule associated with the class designation information.

In step 706, the access terminal 600 may determine a periodic registration schedule for the class designation information associated with the access terminal 600 from a plurality of periodic registration schedules. For example, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may determine a periodic registration schedule associated with the class designation information 614 stored on the storage medium 606. In instances where the message received in step 704 is similar to the system parameters message in FIG. 4, the processing circuitry 602 executing registration operations 612 evaluates the received message, It may identify the associated device class field. If the device class field associated with the class designation information 614 is identified, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may apply the displayed periodic registration schedule to perform access terminal registrations to the network .

In some instances, the access terminal 600 may not be provided with a specific device class. In other examples, the message received in step 704 may not include a periodic registration schedule associated with class designation information 614 for access terminal 600. [ In these cases, the processing circuitry 602 executing registration operations 612 may employ a normal registration period for a particular network. For example, if the access terminal 600 does not have the class designation information 614, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may determine the registration period field of the received message (e.g., (E.g., the registration period field 404 of FIG. 4A). Similarly, when processing circuitry 602 executing registration operations 612 determines that it does not include a periodic registration schedule associated with class designation information 614 (e.g., in class designation information 614) , The processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 is notified of the received message by the registration period field of the received message (e. G., The registration period field 404 in FIG. 4) A periodic registration schedule can be employed.

In step 708, the access terminal 600 may perform periodic access terminal registrations according to the determined periodic registration schedule. For example, processing circuitry 602 executing registration operations 612 may perform periodic registrations to the network according to a periodic registration schedule. In one or more embodiments in which the class designation information 614 is associated with M2M executable devices, the processing circuitry 602 may be operable during each registration period (e.g., once every 10 minutes, once every hour or And once more over a longer period of time).

In some instances, access terminals 600 (e.g., registration operations 612) may be adapted to perform registration with the network by sending a data message, such as a data burst message. These access terminal registrations may be performed even if the access terminal 600 is not currently registered in the network or is not connected to the network. In this manner, access terminal 600 may power down (e.g., enter sleep and / or idle mode) and skip registrations, but still transmit data until data is acquired for transmission. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an access terminal, such as an associated method operating on an access terminal 600, in accordance with at least one implementation.

6 and 8, the access terminal 600 may receive, at step 802, a message from the network node indicating that the network node supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of the data message. For example, the processing circuitry 602 may receive the message via the communication interface 604. In at least one embodiment, the received message indicates that the network is supporting access terminal registration in combination with receiving a data message transmission. The at least one field is adapted to indicate to the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operation 612, (E. G., 1 bit, or multiple bit field). ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 &

By knowing that the network is supporting access terminal registration in combination with receiving data message transmissions, the access terminal 600 may bypass one or more access terminal registrations in step 804. For example, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may skip one or more periodic registrations to the network, resulting in the access terminal 600 no longer being registered on the network.

In step 806, the access terminal 600 may obtain a data message to be transmitted to the network. For example, the processing circuitry 602 may prepare the data according to conventional processes to be transmitted to the network. In at least some embodiments, the data may be prepared as a data burst message. The data burst message may be employed for the transmission of a relatively small amount of data without establishing connectivity between the network and the access terminal 104. [ An example of a data burst message includes a short message service (SMS) transmission, which is commonly referred to as a "text message ". In some embodiments, the data burst messages may be transmitted using a reverse common signaling channel (R-CSCH), such as, for example, a reverse access channel (R-ACH). The data burst messages may be employed by the M2M executable access terminal 104 to send data associated with the captured event to the M2M server.

Because the network supports access terminal registration in combination with a data message, at step 808, the access terminal 600 may also obtain registration information associated with the access terminal 600. For example, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may obtain registration information associated with the access terminal 600. The registration information may include information such as other information and / or a slot cycle index that is typically employed by the network for access terminal registrations. In at least some implementations, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may generate a new record (e.g., GE_REC_TYPE) using the associated registration information.

In step 810, the access terminal 600 may send a message containing the data message obtained in step 806 and the access terminal registration information obtained in step 808. For example, the processing circuitry 602 executing registration operations 612 may generate a message that includes a data message and registration information. In at least one implementation, the processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 sends a data message (e.g., a data burst message) and registration information (e.g., a new record) to a single generic extension message (GEM). ≪ / RTI > The processing circuitry 602 executing the registration operations 612 may transmit the prepared message (e.g., a general extension message) via the communication interface 604. [

9 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of a network node 900 in accordance with at least one implementation. As shown, network node 900 includes a processing circuit 902 that is coupled to or in communication with communication interface 904 and storage medium 906.

The processing circuitry 902 is arranged to acquire, process and / or transmit data, control data access and storage, issue commands, and control other desired operations. The processing circuitry 902 may include circuitry adapted for processing, including, but not limited to, implementing and executing programming provided by a suitable medium, including media stored on storage medium 906 in at least one embodiment. Embodiments and implementations of the processing circuitry 902 may include any of the embodiments and implementations of the processing circuitry 602 described above with reference to FIG. Embodiments of processing circuitry 902, including those discussed above with reference to processing circuitry 602 in FIG. 6, are for illustration purposes and other suitable configurations within the scope of the present disclosure are also contemplated.

Communication interface 904 is configured to facilitate wired and / or wireless communications of network node 900. For example, the communication interface 904 may include one or more access terminals, as well as programming and / or circuitry adapted to facilitate communication of information in one direction with one or more other network nodes. The communication interface 904 may be coupled to one or more antennas (not shown) and may include at least one receiver circuit 908 (e.g., one or more receiver chains) and / or at least one transmitter circuit 910 Quot;) < / RTI > (e. G., One or more transmit chains).

The storage medium 906 may be one or more computer readable, machine readable, readable media for storing programming, such as processor executable code or instructions (e.g., software, firmware), electronic data, databases, And / or processor readable devices. The storage medium 906 may also be used to store data operated by the processing circuitry 902 when performing programming. The storage medium 906 can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose processor, including portable or fixed devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing, and / Lt; / RTI > Examples of the storage medium 906 may include any of the examples included in the description of the storage medium 606 described above with reference to FIG.

The storage medium 906 may be coupled to the processing circuitry 902 such that the processing circuitry 902 can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium 906. That is, examples where the storage medium 906 is integral to the processing circuitry 902 and / or instances where the storage medium 906 is separate from the processing circuitry 902 (e.g., network node 900 , Storage medium 906 is at least partially accessible by processing circuitry 902, including, for example, residing in network node 900, being external to network node 900, and / or distributed across multiple entities) To the processing circuitry 902.

The programming stored by the storage medium 906, when executed by the processing circuitry 902, allows the processing circuitry 902 to perform one or more of the various functions and / or process steps described herein. For example, storage medium 906 may include registration operations 912. [ Registration operations 912 may be implemented by the processing circuitry 902 to perform access terminal registrations for a plurality of registration periods in accordance with class assignments and / or in conjunction with data message transmission. Accordingly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, processing circuitry 902 may be configured to perform the functions described herein for any or all of the network nodes (e.g., network nodes 302, 402, and / or 900 described herein) (In conjunction with the storage medium 906) of processes, functions, steps, and / or routines described herein with respect to the processing circuit 902. As used herein, The term "adapted" refers to a processing circuit 902 that is one or more of utilized, implemented, or programmed to perform a particular process, function, step and / or routine in accordance with various aspects set forth herein, .

In some instances, the network node 900 may be configured to facilitate a plurality of different timer based registration periods. For example, the network node 900 may be adapted to at least some implementations that facilitate different timer based registration periods based on the device class. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an associated method of operating on a network node, such as network node 900, in accordance with at least one implementation.

9 and 10, at step 1002, the network node 900 may obtain a plurality of schedules. At least one periodic registration schedule of the plurality of schedules may be associated with the access terminal class. In at least one embodiment, the processing circuitry 902 executing registration operations 912 may obtain a plurality of registration schedules. In some instances, the processing circuitry 902 executing registration operations 912 may generate a plurality of periodic registration schedules. In other instances, the processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 may receive a plurality of periodic registration schedules from the other network entity via the communication interface 904. [

At least one schedule of periodic registration schedules may be a registration schedule for any access terminal without class designation. One or more other periodic registration schedules may be associated with the access terminal class. For example, a periodic registration schedule may be implemented for a first class of access terminals, such as a voice-based mobile phone, where the network can track locations of multiple access terminals and avoid page failures The registration schedule may include only periods of a few minutes. Other periodic registration schedules may be implemented for a second class of access terminals, such as M2M executable access terminals, wherein the registration period may be substantially longer (e.g., every 10 minutes, one hour Per hour, or more).

At step 1004, the network node 900 may send a message including a plurality of periodic registration schedules. For example, the processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 may send a message via the communication interface 904. In one or more embodiments, the message may be a system parameters message, such as the system parameters message 402 described above with reference to FIG. As described above, the system parameters message 402 includes one or more device class fields indicating a periodic registration schedule associated with access terminal class designation information, and a registration period field indicating a periodic registration schedule for access terminals without class designation . ≪ / RTI >

At step 1006, the network node 900 may perform access terminal registrations according to a plurality of periodic registration schedules. For example, processing circuitry 902 executing registration operations 912 may perform access terminal registrations according to their respective registration periods associated with registration schedules. In at least one embodiment, processing circuitry 902 executing registration operations 912 may receive registration transmissions via communication interface 904 from one or more access terminals during each respective registration period. The processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 may additionally register each of the access terminals of which the registration transmission is received.

In some instances, network node 900 may be adapted to register an access terminal in combination with receiving a data message from an access terminal. These registrations may also be performed when the access terminal is not currently registered in the network or is not connected. In this manner, the network node 900 can register an access terminal that may pass through one or more registrations and subsequently send a data message. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a network node, e.g., an associated method, operating on a network node 900, in accordance with at least one implementation.

9 and 11, the network node 900 may transmit, at step 1102, an indication that the network node 900 is associated with receiving a data message to support access terminal registration. For example, the processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 may broadcast a message via the communication interface 904, where the message, in combination with receiving the data message, Lt; / RTI > to the receiving access terminal. In at least one implementation, a message broadcast by network node 900 may be a system parameters message. The indication in these implementations may be a one-bit or multiple-bit field in a system parameters message adapted to indicate network support for access terminal registration in combination with receiving a data message transmission.

At step 1104, network node 900 may receive a message from an access terminal, where the message includes a data message and access terminal registration information. For example, the processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 may receive the message from the access terminal via the communication interface 904. In one or more embodiments, the received message may be a general extension message including a data message and registration information. The data message included in the received message may be a data burst message in one or more instances.

In step 1106, the network node 900 may register the access terminal with the network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. For example, in response to receiving a message from an access terminal, the processing circuitry 902 executing the registration operations 912 registers the specific access terminal in the network according to the access terminal registration information contained in the received message .

In addition to registering the access terminal, the network node 900 may also process the data message contained in the received message at step 1108. For example, the processing circuitry 902 may process the data message in the received message without having the access terminal registered in the network before receiving the message in step 1106. [ A data message (e.g., a data burst message) may be processed in the wireless network according to conventional processing for a received data message.

While the above-described aspects, arrangements, and embodiments have been described in particular detail, it should be understood that the drawings, figures, One or more of the components, steps, features, and / or functions depicted in FIGS. 10 and / or 11 may be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature, , Steps, or functions. Additional elements, components, steps, and / or functions may also be added or utilized without departing from the invention. The devices, devices, and / or components illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and / or 9 may include any of the devices shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, May be configured to perform at least one of the one or more methods, features, parameters, or steps described in connection with the exemplary embodiments. In addition, the new algorithms described herein may be efficiently implemented in software and / or embedded in hardware.

It is also noted that at least some implementations have been described as a process, illustrated as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although the flowcharts may describe operations as a sequential process, many operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. Also, the order of operations may be rearranged. The process ends when the operations of the process are completed. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, and the like. If the process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to the return of that function to the calling function or main function. Thus, the various methods described herein may be stored in a machine-readable, computer-readable, and / or processor-readable storage medium and may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium, (E. G., Instructions and / or data). ≪ / RTI >

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, May be implemented as any combination of < RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI > To illustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

Various features related to the examples described herein may be implemented in different embodiments and implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, although specific inherent constructions and arrangements are illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, Additions and modifications and deletions therefrom will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is not limited solely to the written language and legal equivalents of the following claims.

Claims (35)

As an access terminal,
Communication interface;
A storage medium; And
And a processing circuit coupled to the communication interface and the storage medium, the processing circuit comprising:
Skipping one or more periodic registrations;
Acquiring a data message for transmission;
Obtain registration information associated with the access terminal to be transmitted in combination with the data message;
And transmit the message including the data message and the registration information through the communication interface. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the message including the data message together with the registration information is a general extension message. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to receive a transmission over the communication interface prior to sending the message,
Wherein the received transmissions indicate that the network in which the access terminal is currently operating is coupled with receipt of the data message to support access terminal registration. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the data message comprises a data burst message. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the processing circuit is configured to obtain the registration information associated with the access terminal to be transmitted with the data message in response to an indication that the network supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of the data message. . A method of operating in an access terminal,
Bypassing one or more periodic access terminal registrations;
Obtaining a data message for transmission;
Obtaining registration information associated with the access terminal to be transmitted in combination with the data message;
And sending a message comprising the data message and the registration information. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein obtaining a data message for the transmission comprises obtaining a data burst message for transmission. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the step of transmitting the message comprising the data message and the registration information comprises transmitting a general extension message including the data message and the registration information. The method according to claim 6,
Receiving a transmission indicating that the network in which the access terminal is operating, in combination with reception of the data message, supports access terminal registration, prior to transmitting the message comprising the data message and the registration information Gt; access terminal, < / RTI > 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein obtaining the registration information associated with the access terminal to be transmitted in combination with the data message comprises: in response to the indication that the network supports access terminal registrations in combination with receipt of the data message, And obtaining the registration information associated with the access terminal to be transmitted. As an access terminal,
Means for bypassing one or more periodic access terminal registrations;
Means for obtaining a data message for transmission;
Means for obtaining registration information to be transmitted in combination with the data message, the registration information being associated with the access terminal; And
And means for transmitting a message comprising the data message and the registration information. 12. The method of claim 11,
Means for receiving a transmission indicating that a network in which the access terminal is operating in combination with receipt of the data message supports access terminal registration, the transmission comprising transmitting the message comprising the data message and the registration information, And means for receiving the transmission, which is previously received. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the registration information to be transmitted in combination with the data message is obtained in response to an indication that the network supports access terminal registrations in combination with receipt of the data message. As a computer readable medium,
Skipping one or more periodic registrations;
Acquiring a data message for transmission;
Obtain registration information to be transmitted in combination with the data message, the registration information being associated with an access terminal;
And programming to transmit the message comprising the data message and the registration information. 15. The method of claim 14,
Further comprising programming for receiving a transmission indicating that the network on which the access terminal is operating in combination with receipt of the data message supports access terminal registration. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the registration information to be transmitted in combination with the data message is obtained in response to an indication that the network supports access terminal registrations in combination with receipt of the data message. As a network node,
Communication interface;
A storage medium; And
And a processing circuit coupled to the communication interface and the storage medium, the processing circuit comprising:
Receiving a message over the communication interface from an access terminal that has skipped one or more periodic registrations, the message including a data message and access terminal registration information,
And register the access terminal in the network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the received message comprises a general extension message. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the data message included in the received message comprises a data burst message. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to broadcast, via the communication interface, an indication that the network node supports access terminal registration in combination with a data message transmission. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein the indication includes a field broadcast in a system parameters message. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to process the data message contained in the received message without the access terminal being registered in the network prior to receiving the received message. CLAIMS 1. A method of operating at a network node,
Receiving a message including a data message and access terminal registration information from an access terminal that has skipped one or more periodic registrations; And
And registering the access terminal in the network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein receiving the message from the access terminal comprises receiving a general extension message including the data message and the access terminal registration information. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein receiving a message comprising a data message and an access terminal registration information from an access terminal comprises receiving from the access terminal a message comprising a data burst message and the access terminal registration information. . 24. The method of claim 23,
And sending an indication to the access terminal that the network node supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of the data message. 24. The method of claim 23,
Further comprising processing the data message included in the received message without the access terminal being enrolled in the network before receiving the received message. As a network node,
Means for receiving, from an access terminal that has skipped one or more periodic registrations, a message comprising a data message and access terminal registration information; And
And means for registering the access terminal in the network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. 29. The method of claim 28,
Wherein the received message comprises a general extension message. 29. The method of claim 28,
Wherein the data message included in the received message comprises a data burst message. 29. The method of claim 28,
Further comprising means for broadcasting an indication that the network node supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of the data message. 29. The method of claim 28,
And means for processing the data message included in the received message without the access terminal being registered in the network prior to receiving the received message. As a computer readable medium,
Receiving a message including an access terminal registration information and a data message from an access terminal that has skipped one or more periodic registrations;
And programming the access terminal to the network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. 34. The method of claim 33,
Further comprising programming to transmit an indication that the network node supports access terminal registration in combination with receipt of the data message. 34. The method of claim 33,
Further comprising programming for processing the data message included in the received message without the access terminal being registered in the network prior to receiving the received message.

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